Edward James Lewis (born May 17, 1974) is an American former
soccer
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...
player and entrepreneur.
During his 14-year professional career, Lewis played extensively in both the United States and England, for
San Jose Clash,
Fulham
Fulham () is an area of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in West London, England, southwest of Charing Cross. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, bordering Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea. The area faces Wandswor ...
,
Preston North End
Preston North End Football Club, commonly referred to as Preston, North End or PNE, is a professional football club in Preston, Lancashire, England, who currently play in the EFL Championship, the second tier of the English football league syste ...
,
Leeds United
Leeds United Football Club is a professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire in England. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of England's football league system, and plays its home matches at Elland Road ...
,
Derby County
Derby County Football Club () is a professional association football club based in Derby, Derbyshire, England. In 2022, it was announced that DCFC was acquired by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, a Derbyshire-based property group.
Founded in 188 ...
and
Los Angeles Galaxy
LA Galaxy, also known as the Los Angeles Galaxy, are an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Galaxy competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), as a member of the Western Conference. The club began pla ...
. He was also a veteran member of the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
national team throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s; he acquired 82 caps, scored 10 goals and represented his country at the
1999 Confederations Cup
The 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup was the fourth FIFA Confederations Cup, and the second organised by FIFA. The tournament was hosted by Mexico between 24 July and 4 August 1999.
It was won by Mexico, who beat Brazil 4–3 in the final. Mexico be ...
,
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Korea Japan 2002, was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial Association football, football world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national teams organized by ...
,
2003 Confederations Cup,
2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the seventh edition of the Gold Cup, the association football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean ( CONCACAF).
For the first time since 1993, the tournament was held in more than one ...
and
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Germany 2006, was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which had won the right to host th ...
.
Club career
Early career
Lewis attended
Cerritos High School
Cerritos High School, also called CHS, is a comprehensive, four-year public high school located in Cerritos, California, serving grades 9-12. It is part of the ABC Unified School District.
As of the 2014-15 school year, the school had an enrol ...
and was recruited to play
college soccer
College soccer is played by teams composed of soccer players who are enrolled in colleges and universities. It is very prominent in United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and as well as in South Africa and the Philippines. The United Ki ...
at
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California ...
. He quickly rose to prominence on the team, earning the Rookie of the Year title his freshman year, and leading his team in scoring in 1995 as a junior. Lewis was then drafted by the then-
San Jose Clash in the third round of the
1996 MLS College Draft The 1996 Major League Soccer College Draft was held on March 4, 1996, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
History
As Major League Soccer prepared for its first season, the league began stocking teams with players. As the teams were being created at the s ...
. He would spend the next four years in San Jose, becoming a full-time starter in his second season. Originally a
forward, the lefty moved to the midfield early on in his pro career. This would become Lewis' main position. In his time with the Clash, he scored nine goals and added 35 assists in 115 games and was named to the
MLS Best XI in 1999.
Fulham
Lewis signed with England's
Fulham
Fulham () is an area of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham in West London, England, southwest of Charing Cross. It lies on the north bank of the River Thames, bordering Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea. The area faces Wandswor ...
, then in the
Football League First Division
The Football League First Division was a division of the Football League in England from 1888 until 2004. It was the top division in the English football league system from the season 1888–89 until 1991–92, a century in which the First ...
, in March 2000. He spent three seasons there, but did not see much playing time. He made seven league appearances as the club was promoted to the
Premiership in
2000/01 season. He only played one game for his club in
2001-02, the season finale against
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is a professional football club, based in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which competes in the , the second tier of the English football league system. They have played home matches at Ewood Park since 1890. Th ...
. Overall, he appeared in 22 total games for the London club. His only goal for Fulham helped his side cause an upset when they knocked out one of his future employers, Derby County (then in the
Premier League
The Premier League (legal name: The Football Association Premier League Limited) is the highest level of the men's English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Fo ...
), in the League Cup.
Preston North End
Lewis made a move to
Preston North End
Preston North End Football Club, commonly referred to as Preston, North End or PNE, is a professional football club in Preston, Lancashire, England, who currently play in the EFL Championship, the second tier of the English football league syste ...
in 2002 and spent the next three years there.
Leeds United
In June 2005,
Leeds United
Leeds United Football Club is a professional football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire in England. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of England's football league system, and plays its home matches at Elland Road ...
signed Lewis from Preston on a free transfer.
A set piece specialist, he scored memorable free-kicks against
Burnley
Burnley () is a town and the administrative centre of the wider Borough of Burnley in Lancashire, England, with a 2001 population of 73,021. It is north of Manchester and east of Preston, at the confluence of the River Calder and River Br ...
and against his former club, Preston North End. Lewis was the subject of a transfer bid from
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club (), commonly known as Wolves, is a professional football club based in Wolverhampton, England, which compete in the . The club has played at Molineux Stadium since moving from Dudley Road in 1889. The club' ...
just before the transfer deadline in Summer 2006, but the bid was instantly rejected by chairman
Ken Bates
Kenneth William Bates (born 4 December 1931) is a British businessman, football executive and hotelier. He was involved in the development of Wembley Stadium and is the former owner and chairman of football clubs Chelsea and Leeds United.
Bate ...
. Lewis was a regular in the 2006-07 Championship season with Leeds, once again playing left wing. In the first few matches of
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise (born 16 December 1966) is an English former professional football player and manager who played as a central midfielder. He is the president of Serie B side Como 1907. He is best known for having spent the majority of his ca ...
's reign at the club, Lewis was played at left back, but after that he was put back to his favored left wing, but rotated between the positions as the season progressed. He scored three times for Leeds in the 2006-7 season.
In the May issue of Leeds magazine 'Leeds Leeds Leeds', Lewis suggested that he would be willing to stay at
Elland Road
Elland Road is a football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Premier League club Leeds United since the club's formation in 1919. The stadium is the 14th largest football stadium in England.
The ...
even if Leeds United were to drop down to
League One
The English Football League One (often referred to as League One for short or Sky Bet League One for sponsorship purposes, and known as the Football League One from 2004 until 2016) is the second-highest division of the English Football Leag ...
. At the end of the 2006-07 season Lewis was voted Leeds' fans
Player of the Year
Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year (POY) . In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award.
Association football
In association football, this award is he ...
being only the fourth non-British player in the club's history to receive the award. After Leeds were relegated Lewis signed a new one-year contract at Leeds and Lewis stayed at Leeds for the first few games in League 1, where he was given the number 3 shirt and was Leeds' regular left back. When
Derby County
Derby County Football Club () is a professional association football club based in Derby, Derbyshire, England. In 2022, it was announced that DCFC was acquired by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, a Derbyshire-based property group.
Founded in 188 ...
came in for him
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise (born 16 December 1966) is an English former professional football player and manager who played as a central midfielder. He is the president of Serie B side Como 1907. He is best known for having spent the majority of his ca ...
decided he could not stand in the way of his playing Premiership Football. Lewis left Leeds as a cult hero amongst the
Elland Road
Elland Road is a football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Premier League club Leeds United since the club's formation in 1919. The stadium is the 14th largest football stadium in England.
The ...
fans.
Derby County
Derby County
Derby County Football Club () is a professional association football club based in Derby, Derbyshire, England. In 2022, it was announced that DCFC was acquired by Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, a Derbyshire-based property group.
Founded in 188 ...
signed Lewis to a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He scored an own goal against
West Ham United
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club that plays its home matches in Stratford, East London. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football. The club plays at the London Stadium, hav ...
in a Premiership match on November 10, 2007 at
Pride Park
Pride Park is a business park on the outskirts of the city centre of Derby, England. Developed in the 1990s, It covers 80 hectares of former industrial land between the River Derwent and railway lines. Pride Park Stadium and Derby Arena are bot ...
. Before the start of the 2008-09 season, Lewis agreed to be released from his contract with Derby County to play in
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Cana ...
.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Lewis rejoined
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Cana ...
on August 21, 2008 and was reunited with recently hired
Bruce Arena
Bruce Arena (born September 21, 1951) is an American soccer coach who is the head coach and sporting director of the New England Revolution.
He is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Arena has had ...
, under whom he served on the U.S. men's national team. After two and a half seasons with Los Angeles, Lewis announced he would retire at the end of the 2010 MLS season.
International career
Lewis made his debut with the
U.S. national team on October 16, 1996, against
Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = National seal
, national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
, a game boycotted by almost all regular U.S. players because of salary concerns. Unlike most of the other players to appear in that game, Lewis went on to have a long national career, appearing in a total of 82 games. He played an important role for the U.S. in the
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup, also branded as Korea Japan 2002, was the 17th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial Association football, football world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national teams organized by ...
, starting both elimination games and delivering a cross to
Landon Donovan
Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player. Donovan is also the co-founder and vice-president of soccer operations for USL Championship side San Diego Loyal SC, and serves as strategic advisor f ...
for the team's second goal in their 2-0 victory over
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish language, Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a List of sovereign states, country in the southern portion of North America. It is borders of Mexico, bordered to the north by the United States; to the so ...
.
With increasing competition at left midfield, most notably from
DaMarcus Beasley, Lewis began a transition to left back in late 2005, debuting in that slot in a World Cup qualifier against
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
on August 17, 2005. Although he continues to play left midfield for his professional club, Lewis welcomed the move to left back for the national team.
On May 2, 2006, for the second successive time, Lewis was named in the U.S. squad for the FIFA World Cup in Germany. Lewis started the American's first World Cup game against the
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...
at left back, but lost that spot after their disappointing 3-0 loss. After sitting out the U.S. draw with eventual champions
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
in their second game, he rejoined the starting lineup at left midfield against
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Tog ...
. His inspired play nearly helped the U.S. team to equalize, but his ball to
Brian McBride
Brian Robert McBride (born June 19, 1972) is an American former soccer player who played as a forward for Columbus Crew, Fulham and Chicago Fire. He is the fifth-highest all-time leading goalscorer for the United States national team.
For m ...
glanced off the goal post. The United States were eliminated from the competition after suffering a 2-1 defeat. Lewis remained involved with the national team in the early rounds of qualification for the
2010 FIFA World Cup
, image = 2010 FIFA World Cup.svg
, size = 200px
, caption = ''Ke Nako. (Tswana and Sotho for "It's time") Celebrate Africa's Humanity'It's time. Celebrate Africa's Humanity'' (English)''Dis tyd. Vier Afrika se mensd ...
, with his final international goal coming in an away win over Barbados.
International goals
Lewis also scored an "eleventh" international goal on July 17, 1999; however, this goal does not count toward international statistics because it was scored against Derby County, an English Club Team that he would eventually play for.
Business career
Lewis is the founder of soccer training technology company TOCA Football based in Orange County, California. Beginning as a small startup, the company is now internationally recognized, and has training centers across the United States. Lewis' experience in the soccer world has been integral to the success of TOCA.
Honors
United States
*
CONCACAF Gold Cup
The CONCACAF Gold Cup ( es, Copa de Oro de la CONCACAF, french: Coupe D'or CONCACAF) is the main association football competition of the men's national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the continental champion of North Ameri ...
:
2002
File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...
Leeds United
*Player of the Season: 2006-2007
Los Angeles Galaxy
*
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Cana ...
Supporter's Shield:
2010
File:2010 Events Collage New.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2010 Chile earthquake was one of the strongest recorded in history; The Eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland disrupts air travel in Europe; A scene from the opening ceremony of ...
*
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer (MLS) is a men's professional soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation, which represents the sport's highest level in the United States. The league comprises 29 teams—26 in the U.S. and 3 in Cana ...
Western Conference Championship:
2009
File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; Protests ...
References
External links
MLS player profile*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, Eddie
1974 births
Living people
American soccer players
American expatriate soccer players
American expatriate sportspeople in England
Expatriate footballers in England
Association football wingers
San Jose Earthquakes players
Fulham F.C. players
Preston North End F.C. players
Leeds United F.C. players
Derby County F.C. players
LA Galaxy players
1999 FIFA Confederations Cup players
2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
2002 FIFA World Cup players
2003 FIFA Confederations Cup players
2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup players
2006 FIFA World Cup players
CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning players
UCLA Bruins men's soccer players
United States men's international soccer players
Major League Soccer players
Premier League players
Soccer players from California
English Football League players
Association football utility players
People from Cerritos, California
San Jose Earthquakes draft picks